Starting a New Business

Starting a new business can be a confusing process. Below we have provided you with information that will explain our processes and guide you in the right direction. Click on the business category relevant to you to obtain more information.

Food Premises

All food businesses must comply with the Food Act 1984.

A food business is any business involved in the sale, storage and preparation of food or beverages.

Class 1, 2 and 3 food businesses must register with Council.

Class 4 food businesses are required to submit a notification form to Council.

Your food business registration is applicable from 1 October to 30 September, the following year.

The registration of your premises will include an annual inspection to ensure compliance. It may also involve food sampling or investigation of complaints.

Temporary Food Premises & Mobile Vehicles

All temporary food premises and mobile vehicles must be registered on Streatrader.

Streatrader is the online system for businesses and community groups to register and notify their temporary and mobile food premises with their registering council.

A temporary food premises is a structure that is not permanently fixed to a site. For example: tent, stall, marquee or use of a kitchen not owned or leased by the food business.

A mobile vehicles can include food vans, carts, caravans or trucks, coffee vans or trailers.

Once we receive your application on streatrader, an officer will be in contact with you to ensure the classification is correct and a fee will be generated based on the type of activity you will be doing.

Once you are registered with Council and Streatrader you need to lodge a ‘Statement of trade’ (SOT). This is letting Council know where and when you plan to sell food and/or drink. This is required under the Food Act 1984 (the Act) for operators who sell to the public from a temporary or mobile food premises. You must lodge a SOT at least 5 days prior to trading to have complied with your legal obligations under the Act. However, other laws may also apply to your trading. For example, you may need:

permission from Council (Local Laws Department) to operate on council land, or if trading on a street, etc.

permission from the land owner if you intend to operate on private land

permission from the event organiser, if operating at events or markets

Step 2: The Assessment and Review of Plans

After you have obtained relevant permits, the Public Health Unit will also require to review your plans of the proposed design and fit-out of your premises to ensure it complies with the minimum standards required under the relevant acts, regulations and guidelines. This process helps to avoid costly changes to fixtures and fittings. The application process requires the submission of clear and precise working drawings for the proposal.

To facilitate the application process please ensure that the plans are drawn to scale of 1:100 and include the following:

A detailed floor plan showing the layout of your proposed premises, please ensure that you include the dimensions of both the space and all fixtures contained within.

A schedule of finishes – this is a written document that describes the finishes of all surfaces including the floor, ceiling, walls, benches, cabinetry etc.

Please have these documents ready before completing the online form.

Please allow a minimum of 10 working days to process the application.

Step 3: Council Processing

An officer will review and access your plans application.

The officer may contact you for further clarification.

You will be provided with a written document stating the outcome of the plans assessment.

Upon satisfactory completion of the plans review process the public health unit will forward you an application for registration.

Step 4: Fees determined and invoice produced

Registration fees will be prorated. Fees will be determined by classification and activities conducted.

Once the application form is received an invoice will be generated and mailed out to you.

Step 5: Inspection

Once the registration fee is paid an officer will be in contact with you to arrange an appointment for inspection. Please allow a minimum of 10 working days for inspection to be arranged.

An inspection report will be provided to you that may outline any compliance issues.

The inspection will determine your commencement of trade.

Step 6: Registration

Once your premises complies with the inspection it will be registered with Council.

A registration certificate will be mailed out to you.

One month after registration another inspection will be conducted.

Contact details

Should you require any advise on starting a new business, please contact Council's Public Health Unit.

once we receive your application on Streatrader, an officer will be in contact with you to ensure the classification is correct and a fee will be generated based on the type of activity you will be doing

Once you are registered with Council and Streatrader you need to lodge a ‘Statement of trade’ (SOT). This is letting Council know where and when you plan to sell food and/or drink. This is required under the Food Act 1984 (the Act) for operators who sell to the public from a temporary or mobile food premises. You must lodge a SOT at least 5 days prior to trading to have complied with your legal obligations under the Act. However, other laws may also apply to your trading. For example, you may need:

permission from Local Laws Department to operate on council land, or if trading on a street, etc

permission from the land owner or Town Planning Department if you intend to operate on private land

permission from the event organiser, if operating at events or markets

Step 2: Assessment and review of plans

after you have obtained relevant permits, the Public Health Unit will also need to review your plans of the proposed design and fit-out of your premises to ensure it complies with the minimum food or health standards required under the relevant acts, regulations and guidelines. This free service provides an opportunity to discuss design to avoid costly changes. The application process requires the submission of clear and precise working drawings for the proposal

to facilitate the application process please ensure that the plans are drawn to scale of 1:100 and include the following:

1. A detailed floor plan showing the layout of your proposed premises. Please ensure that you include the dimensions of both the space and all fixtures contained within.

2. A schedule of finishes – this is a written document that describes the finishes of all surfaces including the floor, ceiling, walls, benches, cabinetry etc.